MySpace a place for friends

Swing Caravan is a Northampton, MA based acoustic Gypsy Jazz group. The band plays tunes mainly from the brilliant Django Reinhardt's (Quintette of the Hot Club of France) repertoire of the 1930s-1950s. Swing Caravan also plays later tunes composed or adopted by later Gypsy Jazz greats, as well as a number of jazz standards and originals.

Lead guitarist and vocalist Matthew Ruby Shippee, rhythm guitarist Jack Brown, and bassist Kirk Sanger form a solid improvising trio that is sometimes augmented by guest musicians-different nights might bring violin, accordion, or clarinet. The group is known for performing this hot jazz with the kind of spontaneous and sensitive playfulness that spawned the style.

Since starting in the summer of 2005, Swing Caravan has played steadily in the Northampton area, including several showcases at the local Django in June festival, First Night Northampton, the Valley Free Radio benefit concert, Sundays at the Black Sheep Café (subbing for house band Gypsy Wranglers), the Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton, the Montague Bookmill, Veracruzana, and private functions. After two years of playing a regular (every other Friday) gig at Mocha Mayas Café, the great valley music hotspot in Shelburne Falls, the band has begun a new Friday night residency at The Yellow Sofa in Northampton, MA. They can also be found at The Sierra Grille in Northampton, where they have a standing gig on the last Sunday of every month.

Audiences at these shows have been hooked by Swing Caravans energetic musicianship, the nuanced interplay within the trio, and the bands commitment to having fun. Whether playing the fast and fiery tunes or evocative ballads, the band displays a passion for sharing this uplifting music with audiences. The band members share a great respect for the tradition of Gypsy Jazz, heard in how they adhere to most aspects of the genre- the classic gypsy rhythm, the stabbing and melodic guitar lines, and a love of Django's classic repertoire. But Swing Caravan isn't afraid to try new things with the music, like bringing vocals and rock and world music aesthetics into the mix from time to time as they update Django's music for a modern audience. Have a listen, and send us your comments in the box below!